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Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Back in April when I was making my 33 While 33 Challenges, building a snowman with my sister seemed like a simple enough task. We has been together in Disney just two months early and was constantly singing "Do You Want To Build A Snowman?" (which is why she gave me an Olaf. My sister is the bestest!*)

I thought it would be fun to actually build a snowman together. I knew we would be spending Christmas somewhere together and that would be the perfect opportunity....right? Wrong, little did I know we were going to have a very green Christmas. So the two of us have been trying to figure out how to accomplish the task without snow.

First we took pictures with snowmen we found.

Then we got a little more creative...

Snowman Attempt 1: Craft supply snowman

We were in Michaels, when we got the idea...

﻿

Do you know how expensive Styrofoam is? They wanted $20 for the middle Styrofoam ball alone.

The result: We left him there

Snowman Attempt 2: Putty snowman

I got Mom a "Melting Snowman" putty kit for Christmas last year.

We had fun

Result: He "melted"

Snowman Attempt 3: Cookies snowman

Result: They were delicious﻿

So while not made of actual snow, I am counting these as a win. Another 33 Challenge completed! Only 17 challenges to go; which is happy. Less happy, I fly home tomorrow. I miss my family already. Now I am off to pack. The only upside of going home I got many new games with friends back East.

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

I got OZ Fluxx for Christmas. Sister and I opened it up and have played it eight times today, with two different groups of cousins. She's won three times, I've won twice and cousins won each won once. Everyone really enjoyed the game, one cousin didn't want to stop playing. Based on their reactions I thought it would be a good game to review.

OZ Fluxx is part of a family of Fluxx games published by Looney Labs. It is a card game for 2-5 players. The box says 10-40 minutes, I find the average game is 10-25 minutes. You can find more details at the game's board game geek page.

This is Looney Labs' description of the game:

Fluxx is a card game where the cards themselves determine the current rules of the game. By playing cards, you change numerous aspects of the game: how to draw cards, how to play cards, and even how to win.
At the start of the game, each player holds three cards and on a turn a player draws one card, then plays one card. By playing cards, you can put new rules into play that change numerous aspects of the game: how many cards to draw or play, how many cards you can hold in hand or keep on the table in front of you, and (most importantly) how to win the game.

Good Stuff:

The Fluxx mechanic is a fun twist on classic card games. It has unique game play that makes it a nice change.

Anyone can jump into the game at any point by drawing three cards. This makes it a great filler as a games night while waiting for people to arrive or another game to finish.

The rules are clear and if you pay attention and read what is one the card it is easy to follow; especially the second or third game.

I really enjoyed the Oz theme. All the cards made sense with the theme and it seemed more accessible to a new game players that other Fluxx themes I have tried.

Less Than Good Stuff:

I've noticed new players are overwhelmed with the game the first time playing. They seem to find the very "fluxx" nature of the game disorienting.

There are text heavy cards that can frustrating for new players and/or if you have just drawn a number of cards and trying to decided what to play while everyone is waiting.

If the cards aren't working out for someone to win the game can drag and become less fun.

Final Thoughts:
Oz Fluxx is quirky and fun. The theme is more general than a few of the other variations. I would recommend this game for a family or game group of mixed ages. If children are playing they should be able to read or partner with an adult.Rate the Fun Score: 7.5
You can find the list of rated games and the Rate the Fun score guide here.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

This is our third Family Movie Review. Today's movie is Into The Woods. We saw it yesterday in 2D. I
am not going to recap the events of the movie, but I will be sharing the
our thoughts on the file.

Normally this is where I going into my spoilers warning, however, I feel it is important inform you that we were all surprised to discover that Into the Woods is a musical. It feels like a bait and switch from what the trailers showed to what was given. None of us expected the style or story that was delivered. That fact actually made it hard to decided if we liked it. I also think Into The Woods would make a better rental movie night and not worth the theater ticket price. With that said:

WARNING: there are spoilers ahead. If you haven't seen the movie and want to keep it a mystery stop reading.

Good:Dad -the credits were nice.Mom -there were funny parts, I liked that Rapunzel got a happy ending and the Baker returned for his son. Also, the witch's arrivals and exits were always well done.Sister -The cast was good, especially Johnny Depp. Once I got use to the fact that it was a musical, I don't really like musicals, the singing was okay. It was good for what it was.Me -I enjoyed that Baker was played by James Corden (more about that in the favourites section). There were certain songs I enjoyed, the opening number "Into The Woods" and the "Blame" song. There were a lot of great little one liners, the only one I remember was Prince, "They taught me to be charming not sincere." It opens up some interesting ideas about how we teaching can some times lead to very different out comes. I liked some of the ways they kept to the actual Grim fairytales (step-sisters cutting off toes and Rapunzel's prince being blinded). And other places made interesting crossovers between familiar stories (Baker rescues Red Ridding Hood, Baker's wife sells the magic beans). There were also some neat cinematic shots, nice special effects, and beautiful costumes. There were very clever moments...

Less Than Good:Dad -The movie felt long, too
long and mediocre at best. The quality of singing wasn't great, most of
the actors didn't have pleasant voices and had to be fixed with
computers. I have never enjoyed Meryl Streep and that trend has
continued. The whole story felt like there was something missing. There
also was themes and messages that are troublesome for the building of
healthy society, like "your upbringing justifies your actions" and "its
only bad if you get caught."Mom -It was not what I expected. I was off-balance by the fact this was a musical and it made the whole viewing less enjoyable. Sister -It was a musical and I don't like musical.Me
-...but there were very clever moments. There own cleverness was part
of the trouble. Sometimes it the cleverness was overbearing. Other times
it was a thin attempt to hide all the plot holes my mind kept having to
leap over. There were too many loose ends for the ending to be truly
satisfying. It was unbalanced and disjointed and too long. The whole
thing had these shining moments surrounded by dull ones. I was bored and
wanted most songs to end. At the half way point I wanted to leave. It
was mediocre and easily forgotten.

Favourite Stuff:

Dad -Little Red Riding Hood's song with the WolfMom -Rapunzel story ended happy and her prince really loved her.Sister -The witch was great.Me -I liked the Baker. I liked him from the start and it was party because James Corden was Craig Owens on Doctor Who (The Lodger and Closing Time). When the Baker was trying to sooth his crying baby son, I was thinking "It's okay Stormaggedon, Not-Mom will figure it out."

Final Rating:Dad -2 out of 5 off key songsMom -2.5 out of 5 happy endings Sister -4 out of 5 golden eggsMe -2.5 out of 5 magic beans

Hope you enjoyed our review. Have you seen into the woods? Do you agree with our thoughts? What did you find good, less than good, and a final rating? Leave a comment and can read our family review of The Hobbit here.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

My whole family saw The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies last night. The whole drive home, about 45 minutes, we talked about film. After yesterday's Family Review of Last Christmas I thought it would be fun to turn our conversation into another family review.

I am not going to recap the events of the movie, but will be sharing the our thoughts, what we enjoyed, didn't enjoy, and a few other details.

WARNING: there are spoilers ahead. If you haven't seen the movie and want to keep it a mystery stop reading.

Good Stuff:Dad -They told a nice little story. The creation of Middle-Earth was excellent.Mom -There were some great characters. I liked the squence from when Bard's son jumped out of the boat to the dragon falling on the master. I liked Bilbo and Bard; they both had wonderful storylines. I liked the added additions that connect this movie to the Lord of the Rings movies, such as guest appearances of Galadrial and Elron also Thrandril telling Legolas to search for Strider.Sister -I liked Smug and that he's voice was Benedict Cumberbatch. I thought Alfrid was well played. The actor really made me hate the character. I wanted to see him eaten by a troll. And they showed Thorin's journey into and out of dragonsickness well.

Me -It was bittersweet. I liked having the Hobbit's story wrapped up. I am sad there won't be any more Christmas releases (They would never make The Similarion; it would take 10 movies or more to tell). I liked all the ways they made the world of Middle-Earth come to life. There are so many subtle details that enhance the storytelling. I loved the opening, the same set of scenes as my mom. Bilbo's scenes with Thorin and Thranduil. I like the casting choices, the details pulled in from the Similarion, and some of the artistic interpretations. I like that they remembered that the Bear-Man Beorin fought. And as much as I hated any in the company dying I am glad they didn't change that from the book.

Less Than Good Stuff:Dad -They had too many "long meaningful stares" that were a waste of time. Orlando Bloom can not act and Martin Freeman is not who I would have chosen for Bilbo. They changed the novel too much and it ways that were unnecessary, distracting, and unfaithful to the original themes. The story seemed to lack true focus. And there was no need for the added romance.Mom -It was too violent for me. I know that there needed to be battle scenes but they seemed excessive, too long, and pointless time fillers.Sister -Thorin's gold-dream was boring, too long, and unnecessary. And none of the Company dwarves should have died. Me -I have not enjoyed the addition of Orcs in any of the movies, or the creation of a Azog. I think the Hobbit could have been told well in two movies. I am unsure how I feel about the scenes of Galadrail using her powers. My first impression was that I did not care for it and I doubt that will change. The pacing was frustrating at times. I did find there were scenes that dragged in the middle, mostly battle scenes but also the Thorin's gold dream.

After weeks of counting down to family visits, Christmas, and the Doctor Who special it is hard to

believe they have all happened. I am enjoying being home so much. This morning we woke up and did all our Christmas traditions as if it were December 25th and not Boxing Day. After gifts were opened and breakfast was cleaned up we watched Last Christmas together.

I am not going to recap what happened in Last Christmas. However, through out the day I have asked my family their thoughts on the Christmas Special and 12th Doctor. The following is a combination of those conversations. WARNING: there are spoilers ahead.

Good Stuff:Dad -They raised interesting ideas, is the Doctor real or is Santa. Are you sure? The actors did well in their roles and the girl who played Clara is pretty.Mom -Nick Frost made for a good Santa and there were a lot of funny lines. The elves got to deliver a lot of great one liners. And that speech about "every Christmas being the last Christmas" was good. It reminded me of our last Christmas with my Mom.Sister -It was pretty cool to include Santa. How the elves acted was also cool. And the girls dance, "I would dance like that!"Me -I liked the storyline. I thought the closure with Danny Pink was prefect especially how Dream Danny interacted with the Doctor. I also liked the dealing (opposed to ignoring) the lies Clara and the Doctor told each other.The Sleepers were great and properly creepy. I thought the Dream Crabs were a great new monster/alien.I loved the dancing girl character, the elves, and Santa. I like how that tied in to the last scene at the end of Death in Heaven. I thought the close up on the tangerine at the end was prefect and allows for Santa not to be make-believe after all. Also, love the flying sleigh and the Doctor's glee at getting do drive it. Overall I would say this is in my top three favourite Christmas specials and it really set me up to be excited for the next season. I am more optimistic about the Doctor and Clara's upcoming adventures and story arch.

Less Than Good Stuff:Dad -The Doctor was an idiot for not picking up "it's a long story" sooner; Santa should have been given more credit, there were only three reindeer, and I do like the tangerines.Mom -Those crab-things are too much like spiders (which is actually the design team and writers doing a good job). Also you never knew when they were done. (It is true on one of the commercial breaks she went upstairs to do the next thing because she thought the show was over and everything was wrapped up). And it wasn't as good as A Christmas Carol (the only other Christmas Special she's watched)Sister -The guy scientist was dumb for not listening to the Doctor; you shouldn't walk towards something that can kill you. Also the dream inside a dream thing got long and boring.Me -Sister's assessment has its merits; I did find there was a few spots that dragged a bit. I also find this Doctor unnecessarily rude at times. That might just be me. I would like to rewatch before I make too many more comments. I fear I might have missed something.

Thoughts On The New Doctor:
This was my family's first look at the new Doctor. This is what they had to say:Dad -"He's not my favourite; but he's a good Doctor."Mom -"He's alright. He'll do okay. I like the guy with the bow tie, oh, and that one with the white sweater."Sister -"He's old. That's rude, he's old-looking. Also he acts too much like Sherlock and I don't think I like that because Doctor Who should be a different thing."

Overall we enjoyed Last Christmas. For the rest of the day we made comments about elves, Santa, our headaches, and if we were actually awake or just dreaming.

Final Rating:Dad -3 reindeer out of 5Mom -3.25 tangerines out of 5Sister -4 scientists and a dream crab out of 5Me -4.5 Sleepers out of 5 and throw in a tangerine...I do like them.

Friday, December 26, 2014

With only four months left to complete my 33 While 33 challenges, today seemed like a good time to assess my progress. The 33 challenge is a sort of mini-bucket list. I gave myself 33 goals to complete during my 33rd year. The picture is from challenge #14 Hot Air Balloon Ride with Mum.

The last review was October 26th (my half birthday). Tasks I
have completed since then are in purple; any challenges completed before October 26th are in blue. Goals that are in progress are in
orange. And those I haven't even started are in regular font colour. This is how things stand:

Choose a "My One Word" to focus my 33rd year: Abide

Paint the canvas

Read the whole Bible

Finish 11 non-fiction books-I've read 2 so far; I really need to pick up the pace

Go some place new

Serve/help/volunteer in a new way

Capture Happiness every day

Count my blessings

Plan a trip

Remember Birthdays

Mail letters

Visit my Grandma Stewart

Build a snowman with my sister -The Trouble is there is no snow here.

Take a hot air balloon ride with my mum

Go for a hike in the woods

Create a photo book

Learn a new skill

Make a new friend

Reconnect with past friends

Dance

Try a new food

Draw

Grow something

Be a vegetarian for 30 days

Sleep under the stars

Celebrate an obscure or odd "holiday"

Send flowers

Be flexible

Get lost in a corn maze

Send one of my works of fiction to a publisher

Do something I've been putting off

Host a murder mystery

Go on a date

15 challenges done! 8 challenges in progress. That leaves 12 to be start and a total of 18 challenges to accomplished in the next 4 months. That is 4.5 challenges need to be completed every month. Totally doable, right? The next check in with be January 26th.

After days of counting down Christmas has found this Whovian. I had a blessed Christmas Eve celebrating the birth of Jesus. And today has been equally joy-filled. I started the morning at my second family's home. They know me well and gave me these wonderful earrings. If you can't tell from the picture they are 11th's sonic screwdriver.

Had a great chat with my dear friend on the drive to the airport. There were no issues. After a very pleasant flight, December 25th is the best day to fight, I was united with my family. There was squeals, hugs, and even jumping. Sister made arrangements with Santa that tonight would be our family's Christmas Eve. For our traditional Christmas movie I convinced them that Doctor Who's A Christmas Special would be the best option. Then Sister and I opened one gift before bed.

You would not believe how many attempts it took to get a decent picture. We kept giggling making most shots too blurry. Sister pointed out the oddness of me getting a stuffy for Christmas and her getting a book when it should be switched since she's the youngest. Bha I say...I love my Olaf. She is now introducing me to her favourite K-Pop.

I hope your December 25th has been as wonderful as mine. Merry Christmas to all my friends, family, and Bowl of Stew(art) readers. Here is a Merry Message for the Doctor followed by ten of the merriest moments I could think of.

10. Mr. Copper Explains Christmas
Episode: Christmas Special "Voyage of the Damned"
This is not my favourite Christmas special, but I do love this scene:

I shall be taking you to Old London town in the country of UK, ruled over by Good King Wenceslas. Now human beings worship the great god Santa, a creature with fearsome claws and his wife Mary. And every Christmas Eve, the people of UK go to war with the country of Turkey. They then eat the Turkey people for Christmas dinner, like savages!

9. Join Us For Christmas Dinner
Episode: Christmas Special "The Next Doctor"
The Doctor often turns down invitations for Christmas dinner. At the end of "The Next Doctor" he agrees to stay in remembrance of those they had lost. It was a very sweet happy moment.

8. Seeing Rory Returned
Episode: The Pandorica Opens
Earlier in series 5, Rory is erased for existence. Amy completely forgets him. I remember being so excited when he returned.

7. Jackie Tyler Meets Parallel-World Pete Tyler
Episode: Doomsday
The joy of this meeting is more merry after watching series 1 and 2. Our world Jackie had lost her husband Pete 20 years earlier. Other world Pete had just lost his wife Jackie during the series 1 finale. I love when Doctor Who writers give good characters happy endings.

6. The Doctor's Dance at Amy and Rory's Wedding
Episode:The Big Bang

5. Riding the Shark
Episode: Christmas Special "A Christmas Special"
They rode sharks in the sky. Sharks flew in the sky and they rode them. It was fun.

4. Father Returns
Episode: Christmas Special "The Doctor, The Widow, and The Wardrobe"
This is my least favourite Christmas special, but family reunions are always merry especially at Christmas. I also liked the joke about "fairyland".3. The Doctor Riding a Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
Episode: Dinosaurs on a Spaceship
I found this epsiode so much fun

Merry Christmas Eve! I am so excited Christmas is almost here. Welcome to the last Whovian Wear Wednesday. For the past few weeks I've been counting down my favourite Doctor Who t-shirts and clothes items. If you want to see the earlier posts: 20-16, 15-11, and 10-6. Here are my top five favourites:

I did this craft with our Backyard Club (VBS) kids this past summer and we used the images of the "buddies."

This might be obvious, but in case it is not, you will need a physical-printed copy of the images to glue the marbles to. If you are printing from a computer, resize the images before you print. I used Microsoft Publisher (because that's what's on my computer) and made the images fit the diameter of the flat marbles i was using.

You can cut out the images, glue the paper and stick them on the flat marble. That was the method we used with the kids but I found when making more than a few magnets at a time it was quicker and less messy:

Step 2: Add Glue to Flat Marble
Use a paint brush or other method to cover the flat "bottom" of the magnet with glue. You can also dip the marble into a pool of mod-podge but it applies the glue thicker so it takes longer to dry and you are more likely to get your fingers sticky and have residue on the top of the marble.

Step 3: Place Marble on Image
Once the flat marble is covered in a thin layer of glue, lay it on the image. Mod-podge is white but will dry clear. The wet glue will allow you to preposition the marble to get the best view of your image but it almost means it will slide if you move the paper. Be careful. I made a set of Peter Pan magnets for my sister, only I moved the sheet too early and a few marble slid so that they cut off half of characters faces...not what I was going for.

Step 4: Let the Magnets Dry
To avoid my mistakes, allow your magnets to fully dry. I think weather and climate has an effect on the drying period but over night should be a good rule of thumb. Also if you can still see white it is not yet dry.

Step 5: Cut Around Marble
Once the image is dry cut around the magnet and you are ready for the last step:

Step 6: Add Magnets
We used a hot glue gun but any strong adhesive should work and you are done.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Merry Monday! I was asked Sunday, "What does Doctor Who have to do with Christmas?" It is a fair question for the non-Whovians out there. Starting with "Christmas Invasion" in 2005, the BBC has aired a Doctor Who Christmas special every year on December 25th.

With only three sleeps till Christmas, here is these list of Christmas Special, from my favourite to least:

1. A Christmas Carol (2010)
2. The Christmas Invasion (2005)
3. The Snowmen (2012)
4. The Runaway Bride (2006)
5. The Voyage of the Damned (2007)
6. The Next Doctor (2008)
7. The Time of the Doctor (2013)
8. The End of Time (2009)
9. The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe (2011)

Sunday, December 21, 2014

This morning at church, the four-year-old I mentioned last Sunday brought his mini sonic screwdriver. We had another great conversation about the Doctor. Him mom told me that he had been going around telling people:
"The Doctor isn't human; he's a Time Lord and an adiot."
Mom: "honey, you mean alien."
Four: "Yes, right alien. The Doctor is a Time Lord and and alien."

On with today's fan-themed countdown. If you are in doubt, I am a geek. A big geek with a small obsession with Doctor who (that is bigger on the inside). I also love costumes and any excuse to dress up. When those to things combined (I am Captain Planet? -hee hee hee), you get "cosplay." Cosplay is a Japanese-Englishfied shortened word of costume and play. Fans make costumes of their favourite characters an wear them to conventions, special events, or for parody videos. My good friend Jamie and I were discussing ideas for next year's Hal-Con. Our list got me thinking, what are ten Doctor Who cosplay ideas I would to do? And here they are:

1) Madame Vastra with Jenny

Madame Vastra is my dream costume. She is the Silurian (lizard woman). I know it is not impossible but impractical at this point in time. There is so much that would go into making this work beyond my skill or resources. I have even found a company that sells an appliance to make the Silurian cowl. There would still be a lot of work to make this costume. Upside, I have a friend who would go as Jenny. It would be nice to also have a Stax and the 11th Doctor and/or Clara optional additions.

2) Lady TARDIS

Episode: The Doctor's Wife

There was an amazing Lady TARDIS at my first Hal-Con. It was beautiful and she carried at TARDIS as a nice tie for those that didn't get the connection.

3) River Song, Amy + Rory and the 11th Doctor in a Fez

Only this isn't the outfits I would use. I would want to be this River:

With Roman Rory, maybe Policewoman Amy, and the Doctor in a Fex

4) Weeping Angel
Episode: Blink, Flesh and Stone, Angels in Manhatten

5) Member of the Sibylline Sisterhood
Episode: The Fires of Pompeii

I think this would be fun and very doable. Plus you could add in a 10th Doctor and Donna in purple.

6)Family of Blood with scarecrows
Episode: Human Nature and Family of Blood

This would be so much fun. It would really only need "Brother of Mine" if you had a girl to play "Sister of Mine" as long as there were scarecrows.

The nice thing about Ramana is that she has so many possible outfits and Four's scarf is always fun and easily identifiable.

10) Jabe (Tree Lady) and 9th Doctor

Episode: The End of the World

This would be fun but I think more challenging than Madame Vastra...so probably never going to happen.

So those are a ten of the characters I would like to go as someday. If any nearby friends want to coordinate and plan future group cosplay we could have so much fun!
And by request, for today's video a fun fan parody: